Machine for use in the manufacture of shoes



May 20, 1952 B. JORGENSEN MACHINE FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHOES Filed Sept. 30, 1946 1 2 Sheets-Sheet l llll [nven for Be mhar'o/t Jorgensen e\ I 6 v y 20, 1952 B. JORGENSEN 2,597,004

MACHINE FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHOES Filed Sept. 50, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 Invenfor y 20, 1952 B. JORGENSEN 2,597,004

MACHINE FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHOES Filed Sept. 30, 1946 -l2 Sheets-Sheet 5 In van for Bernh a roll Jargensen A I r y 20, 1952 B. JORGENSEN 2,597,004

MACHINE FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHOES Filed Sept. so, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 I n ven for Bernhardt Jorgensen By. hi Aitor'ne y 20, 1952 B. JORGENS-EN ,0

MACHINE FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHOES Filed Spt. 30, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 i 354 [nven for l Bernhardt Jar-g en sen By h A y 20, 1952 B. JORGENSEN 2,597,004

MACHINE FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHOES 7 Filed Sept. 30, 1946 12 Sheets- -Sheet 6 Ball o H m "2 r FT) \\\'V 6/6 F HHH' k \l u hum amqqgwa I k 'g 434 m 604 lnvenfor 602 606 43 Ber-nhar'atJorgensen y 20, 1952 B. JORGENSEN 2,597,004

MACHINE FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHOES Filed Sept. 50, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 In u an for Bern/ arch Jargensen y his A or'ne y 20, 1 I B. JORGENSEN 2,597,004-

MACI -IINE FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHOES Filed Sept. 30, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 [iwen for Bernhardt Jorg enserz B hi At r y 20, 1952 I B. JORGENSIYEN 7 2,597,004

' MACHINE FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHOES Filed Sept. 30, 1946 1 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 [n uenfor" May 20; 1952 B; JQRGENSEN v 2,597,004

' MACHINE FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHOES A Filed Sept. 50, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 11 In uenfor Bern h arc/t Jorgensen y 0 1952 B. JORGENSEN ,0

MACHINE FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHOES Filed Sept. so, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 lnvenfor' Bernhardt Jorgensen his ttorn Patented May 20, 1952 I MACHINE FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHOES Bernhardt Jorgensen, Marblehead, Mass, as-

signor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application September 30, 1946, Serial No. 700,267

91 Claims. 1

This invention relates primarily to machines for use in the manufacture of shoes, although in some aspects it is not limited to machines for operating on work of that particular kind. It is herein illustrated as embodied in a machine for lasting the toes of open-toe shoes, i. e., shoes of that type in which the upper is open at the end of the toe, but it will be further recognized that as to some features of the means provided for treating such shoes the invention is not limited in utility to the manufacture of shoes of that special type.

While open-toe shoes are frequently made by a method which involves the securing of the upper permanently to an insole or its equivalent before a last is inserted in the shoe, a substantial proportion of such shoes, especially of the better grades, are made on the last, the upper being subjected to the well-known pulling-over operation prior to what is more distinctively termed the lasting of the shoe. After the pulling-over operation the shoe, in accordance with the customary practice, is lasted along its shank portion and then along the sides of the forepart as far forwardly as the toe portion. Thereafter the toe-lasting operation is performed. To provide a machine for speedily and satisfactorily lasting the toes of such shoes is the primary object of the present invention.

To the above and other ends, the machine herein shown includes grippers which grip the margin of the upper at the opposite sides of the toe respectively and pull the upper heightwise of the last, wipers which thereafter wipe the margin of the upper at the sides of the toe inwardly over an insole on the last, and a toe former which wipes the toe end of the upper heightwise of the last after it has been pulled by the grippers and holds it in conformity to the contour of the last as its margin is wiped inwardly by the wipers. The machine is a fluid-operated machine and the grippers are closed and operated by fluidpressure means, the construction of the grippers and of their operating means being generally in accordance with the disclosure of Letters Patent No. 2,423,454, granted on July 8, 1947 on an application of mine, which shows grippers operating on other portions of an upper. The wipers, for the purposes in view, are operated and controlled by novel means whereby they are moved bodily toward each other widthwise of the last with components of movement lengthwise of the last in heelward directions, as is especially advantageous in operating on the portions of the upper at the sides of the toe of an open-toe shoe. More particularly, they are each supported by a pair of arms located respectively at different distances from the last and mounted to swing about axes extending heightwise of the last, the wipers accordingly following curved paths in their above-described movements. One of the arms associated with each wiper is part of a lever through which the wiper is operated by a piston common to both wipers. The wipers are so formed and arranged that, for a reason hereinafter explained, the portions thereof which are farthest from the end of the toe first begin their wiping action on the upper, and to afford better insurance that all portions of the margin of the upper acted upon by each wiper will be effectively pressed on the insole, to which the toe portion of the upper is customarily secured by cement in the lasting operation, each wiper includes a plurality of resilient wiping fingers arranged in a series lengthwise of the edge of the shoe bottom.

The above-mentioned toe former, in the construction herein shown, comprises a metal upperengaging member curved to extend about the toe end of the last and resiliently flexible to permit it to be conformed by pressure to the contour of the last, this member being mounted on a holder which is resiliently flexible in directions lengthwise of the last further to facilitate the application of the desired shaping pressure to the upper. For controlling the toe former there are provided members which are not connected to it but are arranged to bear against it respectively in locations spaced apart widthwise of the last to press it both lengthwise of the last and inwardly toward the sides of the toe, these members being yieldingly forced against the toe former lengthwise of the last each independently of the other at a predetermined time in the operation of the machine. The toe former is moved relatively to these members to wipe the upper heightwise of the last by the above-mentioned wiper-operating piston which is moved heightwise of the last to operate the wipers. The toe former is yieldingly supported by this piston to permit further wiperoperating movement of the latter after the movement of the toe former has been stopped by means provided for that purpose.

To position and hold the shoe in proper relation to the lasting means, the machine is provided with a sole rest arranged to engage the bottom of the forepart of the insole and with a toe rest arranged to engage the top of the forepart of the shoe and to press the shoe against the sole rest. The sole rest is supported on a lever which is mounted to swing in directions heightwise of the shoe but is controlled initially by a latch which holds it against movement when the shoe is pressed against the sole rest by the toe rest. To increase the force with which the margin of the upper is pressed on the bottom face of the insole by the wipers. the latch is operated to release the lever after the wipers have begun to wipe the upper inwardly over the insole, thus permitting the toe rest to press the shoe more forcibly against the wipers. In order to operate in the most satisfactory manner, the wipers are moved so far inwardly that portions of them are substantially or nearly in contact witheach other at the end of the wiping operation, and accordingly there is further provided spring means for swinging the above-mentionedlever to carry the sole rest far enough heightwise of the shoe to clear the inwardly moving wipers when it is released by the above-mentioned latch. In the construction shown a member which is. movable to cause the latch to release the lever serves thereafter by reverse movement to return the lever into positionagain to be held by thelatch. To'render the sole rest'more efiective in preventing displacement of the shoe in the lasting operation, it is provided with a plurality'of insoleengaging members having therein recesses opposite the insole to provide around the recesses edge portions which tend to embed themselves in the insole when it is pressedagainst-them and thus to hold the shoesecurely. An advantage of this construction isthat if: these members engage the insole as theshoeis presented to the machine by the operator they do not oppose any-substantial resistance tolengthwise. or lateral movement of the shoe in thus presenting it. As hereinshown, however, there is further provided-guiding means which by engagement with the insole holds it normally out of contact'with 'thesesole rest members as the shoe is presented, the guiding. means comprising a leaf springarrange'd to engage the insole substantially midway between its opposite side edges and vyieldable after the shoe has been properly presented to permit the insole to be pressed against the sole rest members.

Further to control the shoe, and especially to prevent its displacement when it is released from control. of the sole rest asabove described, the machine is provided with clamp members movable into engagement with the. opposite sides of theshoe respectively Whilethe shoe isstill controlled .by the solerest, .these. members. being arranged to engage the. shoe in locations whereits sides curve inward'heelwardlyof the ball line to increase their effectiveness in preventing lengthwise. as vwell as lateral displacement of the shoe. Theclamp members are carried .by leverswhich are mounted to. swing about. axes extending heightwise of the. shoe, and they are movedinto positions .determinedby the shoe by wedg members arranged to act respectivelyon the difierent levers. The wedge .members are yieldingly operated and are relatively movable topermit them to assume positions determined'by the positions of theclamp members in engagement with the shoe, and they are so formed-that once they have moved the clamp-members into shoe-engaging positions they automatically prevent reverse movements-of the members.

lightzoil. deliveredv to. a manifold by a .continuously driven pump. From the manifold the fluid under pressur is admitted at the proper times to different servo-motor cylinders by electrically operated valves controlled by cams which are rotatable as a unit to determine a cycle of operations of the machine, the cams being driven through a one-revolution clutch. Avalve-controlled outlet permits escape of the fluid delivered by the pump and thereby prevents the development of any substantial fluid pressure when the machine is not operating. In response to presentation of the work to the machine the valve controlling this outlet is closed by electrical means to cause the development of fluid pressure, this action resulting, in the machine herein shown, from pressure of the toe end of the last against the toe former. In response to the development of such fluid pressure the clutch is actuated to start the cycle of operations by a fluidoperated device in constantly open communication with the manifold. Accordingly, the machine is started by fluid-pressure meansin response to presentation of the work. It will 'be understood that as to various novel features .of this organization the invention is not limitedxin utility to machines for performingthe.particular operations herein disclosed.

The above and other features of the invention, including novel means for optionally stopping the machine prior to the end of the cycle and various novel details of construction and-combinations of parts, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and thereafter pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view mainly in left-hand side elevation of the machine in which the invention is herein shown as embodied, with parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a view also mainly in left-hand side elevation, on an enlarged scale, of the upper portion of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but with portions of the structure in central vertical section;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the upper portion of the machine with the grippers omitted and with certain parts in section on the line IV-IV of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a section on the'line 'V V of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line VIVI ofFig. 4;

Fig. '7 isa section on the line V11VII of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is mainly a plan vieW of themeans pro-.

vided for clamping the shoe at its opposite sides;

Fig. 9 is a section on the'lin IXIX- of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a sectionon the line X-Xof Fig. 4';

Fig. 11 is a View in front elevation of thevalveoperating mechanism and of. parts associated therewith;

Fig. 12 is mainly a section on the line XII--XH of Fig. 11.;

Fig. 13 is a view inrear elevation of the means for controlling the electrical operation of the valves;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the structure shownin Fig. 13; a

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of-cams shown in Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a section on the line XVI-XVI of Fig. 13;

Fig. 17 is a section on the lin XVIIXVII-of Fig. 11;

Fig. 18is a plan View of most of the upper portionof the machine with the parts as they appearin relation toashoe when theshoe is. presented to the machine;

Fig. 19 is a front view, with parts in section, showing mainly the grippers in their initial positions in relation to the shoe;

Fig. 20 shows one of the grippers as it appears after it has gripped the upper and pulled it heightwise of the last;

Fig. 21 is a view similar to Fig. 20 with the parts as they appear immediately before the release of the upper by the grippers;

Fig. 22 is a view similar to Fig. 21 with the parts as they appear when the wipers are at the limits of their inward wiping movements over the insole;

Fig. 23 is a plan view similar to Fig. 18 but with the grippers omitted and with the parts in the same positions as illustrated in Fig. 22; and

Fig. 24 is a partly diagrammatic view showing portions of the fluid-pressure system and of the valve-operating and controlling means.

For positioning the shoe heightwise in proper relation to the lasting means the machine is provided with a sole rest 2 (Figs. 3 and 4). This sole rest includes a substantially triangular plate 4 on which is supported a small block 6 arranged to engage the insole near the end of the toe in a location substantially midway between the opposite sides of the toe. This block is mounted in a shallow slot 8 (Fig. 20) in the lower face of the plate 4, and extending from it through the plate is a stem 10 on which is threaded a nut l2 to secure it in place. The block is provided with a smooth insole-engaging face so that it will not interfere with such movement of the shoe as may be necessary in presenting it properly to the machine. Supported by the front-end portion of the triangular plate 4 in locations spaced apart widthwise of the shoe are two other insole-engaging members I4 having stems which are threaded in the plate for adjustment heightwise of the shoe to determine variably the position of the bottom face of the toe-end portion of the shoe. As illustrated in Fig. 5, each of the members M has therein a recess l6 opposite the insole to provide around the recess a circular edge portion l8 adapted to embed itself in the insole when the latter is pressed against it and thus to hold the shoe against lengthwise or lateral displacement in the lasting operation. A special advantage of this construction is that the edge portions l8 of the members 14 will not oppose any substantial resistance to lengthwise or lateral movement of the shoe if they engage the insole as the shoe is being presented to the machine. There is further provided, however, means for holding the shoe normally out of contact with the members l4 as it is presented, comprising a leaf spring 20 secured on the lower face of the plate 4 and having a dowwnardly and rearwardly curved portion arranged to engage the insole substantially midway between its opposite side edges in a location substantially between the two members l4. The insole-engaging portion of the spring 26 extends normally below the level of the lower edges of the members [4, and the spring is yieldable to permit the shoe to be pressed up against these members, after it has been properly presented, by means hereinafter described.

Formed on the sole rest plate 4 is an upwardly extending shank portion 22 mounted in a vertical T-slot formed in a holder 24, and threaded in this shank portion is a screw 26 having a flange 28 which extends into slots formed in opposite side portions of the holder, so that by turning the screw the sole rest may be adjusted vertically. The holder 24 is supported on the front end of a lever 30 pivotally mounted between its opposite ends for swinging movements heightwise of the shoe on a stud 32 supported in a block 34 which is held by a screw 36 fast on a top frame plate 38 with which the machine is provided. In order to provide proper clearance for the grippers hereinafter described, the lever 3llhas a substantially U-shaped portion 40 one arm of which extends downwardly into a slot 4| in the block 34 and the other arm into a slot 42 (Fig. 3) in the holder 24, this other arm being provided with a stud 44 on which the holder is pivotally mounted. A function of the lever 30 is to raise the sole rest 2 at the proper time in the operation of the machine, both to permit the shoe to be pressed more forcibly up against the wipers (hereinafter described) and also to provide suitable clearance for the wipers in their movements inwardly over the shoe bottom. For this purpose the lever is swung about the stud 32 by a spring 46 when it is released by a latch 48 which normally holds it against such movement. The latch i pivotally mounted on a pin 50 supported by a bracket 52 on the plate 38 and is normally held by a leaf spring 54 in a notch 56 formed in a wear plate 58 fast on the rear end of the lever 30. .The means whereby the latch is operated to release the lever will be hereinafter described.

In order to provide suflicient clearancefor the wipers between the insole and the sole rest block 6 it is desirable to prevent any tipping movement of the sole rest when it is raised by the lever 30. Further to control the holder 24, therefore, there are provided at the opposite sides of the U- shaped portion 40 of the lever 30 a pair of comparatively thin U-shaped plates 50 the rear arms of which are pivotally mounted near their lower endson the block 34 by means of stud 62 (Figs. 3 and 10) located directly above the stud 32. The lower ends of the front arms of the plates are pivotally connected to the holder 24 by means of studs 64 located directly over the stud 44 at the same distance from the latter as the distance between the stud 32 and the studs 62. When the sole rest, therefore, is raised by the swinging of the lever 38' the plates 60 have the function of an idle link swinging about the fixed axis of the studs 62 and preventing any substantial tipping movement of the sole rest as it is moved upwardly. In other words, the U-shaped portion of the lever 30 and the pair of plates 60 have virtually a parallel link motion in lifting and controlling the sole rest.

Substantially at the beginning of the cycle of operations of the machine, after the machine has been started in a manner hereinafter described, the shoe is clamped against the sole rest 2 by a toe rest 66 engaging the shoe underneath at the top of the forepart. This toe rest comprises a shoe-engaging rubber block 68 mounted in a holder 10, the block and holder being confined by a pin 12 in an exterior holder 14 secured on the top of a block 16. A portion of this block extends downwardly into a recess provided in another block 18 which is supported on the top of a piston vertically movable in a cylinder 82 mounted on a horizontal frame plate 84. A portion of the block 18 extends downwardly into a recess in the piston and is held therein by a pin 86 extending through the piston and through slots 88 in the walls of the cylinder 82. Springs 90 connected to the opposite end of this pin hold the piston initially in the position determined by engagement of the pin with the cylinderi atathelower'ends of' the slots 88. At the proper" time in the operation of. the machine, as

more-particularly hereinafter described, operating-.fiuidisadmitted to. the lower end of the cylinder; 82tzfrom a pipe line 92' toraise the piston 80 and-thus to. move the toerest 66 into position:to:clamp the shoeagainst the. sole rest 2. The block. 16. supporting.v the. toezrestis pivotally mounted on.a pin .94 onthe-block I8 for swingingimovements to adjust the .toe rest in directions lengthwise. of. the shoe, such adjustment beingefi'ectedby screws 96; and 98 threaded. in the .blook:.|8= and: engaging the block .16 inlocationsabove: and abelow the pin 94 respectively.

The..;first1 operation .performed. on the shoe after itx'has been .clampedas above describedby ther'toe rest is the pullingofthe. upper at the opposite sides of .the toe heightwisei of the last. For thispurpose the machine isprovided. with a..pair. of grippers each identified generally by thereference. character IIJIL. as shown best in Fig; 19. Thetconstructionof these grippers and of .the .means whereby they are operated is substantially.- as-disclosed in. the previously, mentioned. Letters. Patent No. 2,423,454 and accordingly will be herein only briefly described. 'llheyare, however, mounted and controlledin somerespectsdifferently from that prior disclosure, as will be explained in detail. Each gripper, includeswhat may be termed an inner of .fixed jaw. .I UZLsecured tov the lower. endnof. a cylinder -I 04;.a-nd'another jaw :I (l6 pivotally mounted on a pinz:III8i for swinging movements toward and from the jaw I02. The jaw I06 is connected by ailink I In. toapiston II2 movable downwardly by-fiuid admitted as hereinafter described to the cylinder-lotto causezthe jaws to grip theupper. Each cylinder I04.is..secured atits upper end to ablock I I4'mountedona slide 1 I6 which is movablealonga-guideway on abar I I8 to adjust the gripper in directions widthwise of the'shoe by means of a. screw IZOIthreadedinthe:slide'and mounted-toturn in abearing formed in an upwardlyiextending.portion ofv the bar I18. The screw. is preventedfrom moving lengthwise relatively :to the. bar by aknob I22 fast thereon at onezsicle2of the upwardly extending portion of the .bar and. a. nut I24 .threaded thereon .at the opposite side of. this upstanding portion A tongue I25 curved about an axis extending heightwise' of. the shoe extends upwardly from the slide I I6 into a similarly curved slot inthe block 4 to .permit adjustment of theblock and the gripper about that axis, the blockbeing held in adjusted position by a screw I28 which is threaded in the slide and extends through a slot I30 (Fig..18) in the block.

'In the construction herein shown each bar -I'I8 is seoured on asubstantially horizontal portion of an angular bracket I32 which extends outwardly widthwise of the machine and then downwardly (Figs.v lS -and 19) to a position with:the.plate Mfi'and by'the turning of which the gripper maybe adjusted about the axis of the pin I36- to vary its'position heightwise of the :shoe. It willlbesunderstoodthat the weight off. the .gripper." and of parts associated therewith serves to maintain it normally inthe position determined by the screw I44, and when the gripper is operated as hereinafter described to pull the upper it moves in a direction generally heightwise of the shoe about the axis of the pin. A spring I46 (Fig. 7) mounted between the member I34 and the head of the screw I44 serves to prevent the screw from turning too freely. The portion of the pin I36 located between the ears I38 has thereon a screw thread engaging a corresponding thread in the member I34, and accordingly turning movement of. the pin by means of a knob I I'I thereon serves to adjust the gripper lengthwise of the shoe. Lengthwise movement of the pin is prevented by engagement of the knob with one side .of one of the ears I38 and by engagement of the threaded portion of the pin. with the other side of this car.

By reference to Fig. 19 it will be seen that the gripper jaws initially are wide apart to receive the margin of the upper between them when the shoe is presented to the machine. For better insurance that the margin of the upper will be properly received between the jaws Without undue attention on the operators part, the grippers are so positioned initially that their inner or. fixed jaws I 02 are located substantial distances inwardly from the edge of the insole,.the grippers also being so adjusted by the above-.- mentioned screws M lthat these jaws are substantially in contact Withthe bottom face of the insole when the shoe is presented, as shownin Fig. 19. Before they grip the upper the grippers are moved in outward directions to positions such that their inner jaws are preferably just beyond the edge of the insole. For this purpose. the above-mentioned plates I46 supporting the grippers are mounted for movements in outward directionsv widthwise of the machine. Each of these plates at its lower end is fast on a cyl-. inder I48 (Figs. 4 and '7) which is movably mounted on a fixed piston I59 extending'through an opening in the side frame plate I42. A flange I52 on the piston engages one side of the frame plate, and the'piston is held in place by a' nut I54 threaded thereon at the opposite side of the plate. Extending through the piston a bore I53 through which operating fluid is admitted from a pipe I58 to the interior of the cylinder Hi8, and by the movement of the'cylinder the gripper is carried outwardly Widthwise of the shoe to the desired position, the-plate IEO being further guided'in its movement by a pin I60 (Fig. 1) extending from the frame into a slot in the plate. To limit the outward movement of the gripper there is secured to the frame by a screw I62 'a bracket its a portion ofwhich extends through an opening H35 in the plate I40, and threaded in the bracket is a screw I 68 which by engagement with the cylinder I48 adjustably limits the movement of the gripper. The cylinder is operated against the resistance of a spring I'Ifi positioned between the bracket I64 and'a flange I12 on the cylinder, and by this spring the gripper is returned when the-fluid is released from the cylinder. The two pipes I58 leading to the cylinders I48 (Fig. 18) are in communication with the previously mentioned pipe line 92leading to the cylinder 82, as indicated in' Fig. l, andaccordingly the two grippers are moved outwardly as described simultaneously with the upward movement of the toe rest '66.

The movement ofthe pistonl I2 of each gripperstocauseits jaws to grip the upper is efiected by fluid admitted to a chamber I14 (Fig. 20) in the cylinder I04 between the piston and a partition I18 in the cylinder, the fluid being conducted to this chamber through a coupling I18 from a flexible tube I80 (Figs. 1 and 18). The tubes l80are in communication with a pipe line I8I (Fig. 1) through a cross-pipe'l82. As disclosed in detail in the previously mentioned Letters Patent, the swinging movement of the jaw I06 of each gripper to grip the upper is effected against the resistance of two springs I83 (Fig. 19), only one of which is herein shown, these springs being mounted in the blockIM and engaging the bifurcated upper end of a downwardly extending rod I84 pivotally connected to an arm I86 integral with the jaw I06. It will be understood that when the fluid is released from the chamber I14 through the coupling I18 after the pulling of the upper the springs I83 return the jaw I 66 and the piston H2.

The pulling of the upper heightwise of the last i by each gripper is effected by swinging the cylinder I04, the block H4 and the bracket I32 as a unit about the axis of the pin I36. For this purpose the cylinder is provided with another fluidreceiving chamber I88 (Fig. 20) above the partition I16, and movable in this chamber is a piston I90 connected by a link I92 to one end of a lever I94 which is pivotally mounted substantially midway between its opposite ends on a pin I96 on the block II4. When this piston is moved upwardly by fluid admitted to the chamber I88 it acts through the lever I94 to impart the upward rinovement to the cylinder I04 and the gripper by I 94 extends into a recess in the upper end of the bar 200 and is provided with a bearing for a pin 204 which is guided by the bar for downward and upward movements. Extending through the pin and through slots in the end of the lever is a screw 286 which bears at its lower end against a crossbar 208 in engagement with the upper ends of two springs 2H1 in the bar 200, only one of these springs being herein shown. It will thus be seen that the lever I94 acts on the bar 206 through these springs and that after engagement of the presser foot 262 with the insole these springs may yield in response to resistance of the upper to the force of the pull applied thereto by the gripper, this force being variable by adjustment of the screw 286. Connected to a pin 2 I 2 extending through the bar 260 are two springs 2I4 (Figs. 18 and 19) the upper ends of which are connected to the previously mentioned pin I96, these springs tending to lift the holddown I98 and also to swing it laterally toward the gripper about its connection with the lever I94. Initially they hold it spaced above the insole and against the inner side of the gripper jaw I02, as shown in Fig. 19, with the piston I96 in its lowest position against the partition I16. When fluid is admitted to the chamber I88, after the gripper has been moved outwardly over the insole and after it has closed on the upper, the piston I90 in its upward movement first moves the holddown downwardly into engagement with the margin of the insole and thereafter causes the lever I94 to fulcrum on the holddown and thereby to lift the cylinder I84 to cause the gripper to pull the upper (Fig. 20), the upward movement of the .piston being limited by its engagement with a par- 10 tion of the block I I4. When the fluid is released from the chamber I88 the springs 2I4 return the piston I90 and retract the holddown heightwise of the shoe relatively to the gripper.

As also disclosed in the previously mentioned Letters Patent, the operating fluid is admitted to the chamber I88 from the chamber I14 when the piston I I2 has substantially completed its movement to cause the gripper to grip the upper. For this purpose a valve member 2I6 in the form of a rod extends from the piston II2 into a bore 2I8 in the partition I16, this valve member having in one side thereof near its upper end a slot 220 through which the fluid is admitted to the chamber I88. When the fluid is released from the chamber I14 after the pulling of the upper the fluid in the chamber I88 returns to the chamber I14 through a passage 222 in the partition I16 past a check valve 224. It will be understood that the fluid thus returning to the chamber I14 is permitted to exhaust from this chamber through the coupling I18 as the piston II 2 is moving upwardly toward the partition I16.

After thepulling of the upper by the grippers its marginal portion is wiped inwardly over the insole at theopposite sides of the toe by a pair of wipers 226 (Fig. 4) secured on wiper carriers 228, the wipers and their carriers constituting what may be termed more generally overlaying devices. Near their outer ends these wiper carriers are supported on forked arms 230 of bellcrank levers 232 to which they are-pivotally connected by studs 234, the bell-crank :levers bein mounted for swinging movements about axes extending heightwise of the shoe on studs 236 supported by the top frame plate 38.. In locations nearer the shoe than the arms 230 the wiper carriers 228 are further supported by forked arms 238 to which they are pivotally connected by studs 240, these arms being mounted to swing about axes extendingheightwise of the shoe on studs 242 (Fig. 10) supported on the plate-38. By the movements of the arms 230 and 238 the wiper carriers and wipers are carried bodily inward toward each other in the wiping operation, the arrangement being such that the wipers follow curved paths with substantial components of movement lengthwise of the shoe in heelward directions. The wipers are thus operated through the bell-crank levers 232 which have inwardly extending arms 244 connected by adjustably extensible links 246 to upwardly extending arms 248 which are integral with a sleeve 250 mounted to turn on a shaft 252 supported by the side frame plates I42. Mounted on this shaft between the ends of the sleeve 250 and the side frame plates are spacing collars 254. Since the links 246 extend in angular relation to the paths of movement of the arms 248, they are connected to the arms by forked members 256 having shank portions 258 (Fig. 2) which are mounted to turn in the arms. For imparting the operative movements to the arms 248 there is integral with the sleeve 250 an arm 260 (Figs. 2 and 3) connected by a link 262 to the upper end of a piston rod 264 on which is a piston 266 mounted in a cylinder 268 on the frame plate 84. Operating fluid is delivered into the lower end of this cylinder at he propertime from a pipe line 210 (Figs. 1 and 2). The piston is thus moved upwardly against the resistance of a pair of springs 212, only one of which is visible in the drawings, and when the fluid is released from the cylinder these springs serve to return the piston and the wipers,.'

'tments.

. 1 1 ".As will beevident by reference to Fig. 4, the wipers .are so formed andarranged that the portion thereof which arefarthestfrom the-endof .the .toe begintheir'wiping action on the upper priortlto the portions located-"near the-end of the toe. iAn'advanta'ge of this is that the wipers begin theirpaction' in locations adjacent 'toporof. the upper which have already been lasted inwardly over the insole-beyondthe toe, thus .aflording better insurance against displacement of any "portion of the margin of the insole which may"be spaced slightly from thebottom face of the last. To afford better insurance also that-all portionsof themargin of the upper acted upon by each wiper will be-eifectively pressed on-the insole in position to adhere thereto, the wipers have-V-s'haped slots 214 (-Fig. 6) formed therein "to provide a plurality of resilient fingers 21% stantially contiguous relation to each other, the movements of the wipers being limited by engagement of -the piston 256 with the upper end of the cylinder 258. To maintain the wipers in a heatedcondition, as is desirable in lasting with cement, there are mountedin thewiper carriers 228 electrical heating units 2? 8 supplied with ourrent through flexible cables 28%].

"The means hereinbefore referred to for operating. the latch 4.81130 release the lever '30 consists of an arm .3282 (Fig. 3) integral with the sleeve 25.0 gandarranged to engage the head of a. screw i234 threaded .intfthe latch when the wipers are nearing the .ends of their inward wiping move- By-theac'tion of the spring 4'5 on the lever, therefore, the sole rest 2 is moved upwardly away from theinsole in time to clear the wipers.

The :arm v282-servesalso by its reverse movement to return the lever :into position again to be held by;the1latch- 43. For this purpose the arm carries a roll. 286- arranged to engage the lower face of an inclined leaf spring 288 whichis secured at one end to the lever 39 and is arranged to abut near; its other end against the head of a screw 29!) threaded in the lever. By adjustment of this screw the spring 288 is so positioned that the lever will be moved just far enough by the arm 2 32 for .the latch 48 to snap into the notch 55 in the plate 58.

.To insure that the upper will be closely conformed to the contour of the toe end of the. last iently flexible upper-engaging metal band curved to extend around the toe end of the shoe. In

operating on an open-toe shoe this toe former may engage the end face of the last, as shown mF-ig. 3, but it will also engage the portions of theupper at the sides of the toe. On the intermediate portion of the toe former are hookshaped extensions 29!; by which it is supported on apair of pins 296 mounted in the upper end por-tionof a holder 228. A setscrew 338 threaded 1n the toe former and engaging one of the pins retains it in place on thepins. The holder 258 12 is in the form of a bar whichis resiliently flexible in directionslengthwise of the shoeand is secured at-its lower end to a cylindrical member 302 mounted in a socket formed inaho1der-304 secured to the upper end of the piston 'rod264. "Extending downwardly from the member 3132 through an opening in the lower end of the holder 304 (Fig. 2) is a rod 366, and between the lower end of the 'member'and the bottom of the socket in which it is mounted is a spring 3H8 which tends to move the member upward relatively to the holder, such upward movement thereof being limitedby engagement of a nut 3 [0 on the rod 396 with the lower end of the holder. As shown in -Fig. 3, the toe former 292 engages the upper initially in a location spaced a substantial distance heightwiseof the shoe from the edge of the'insole, and at the beginning of the upward movementof the piston 266 to operate the wipers as hereinbefore describedthe piston carries the toe former "upwardly to wipe the .upper heightw-ise of the last.

When-the toe former'has thus been moved up- Wardlyito the edge of the insole *itsmovement is stopped by engagement of a finger 3I2 on the member 302 with a small plate 314 which isfast on -a'b1ock 3H5 secured on the lower face of the frameplate 3'8'by the previously mentioned screw 36 (Fig. 10) After the upward movement of the toe former has thus been stopped the spring-308 yields to permit further upward movementof the piston 266 in operating the wipers. The relation of the means for thus operating the toe former to the wiper-operating mechanism is such that the movement of the toe former is completed (Fig. 21) before the wipers have moved far-enough to begin the actual wiping of the upper over the bottom face of the insole.

To cause the toe former 292 to apply adequate pressure to the upper at the sides of the toe there are provided two-bars 3 I 8 (Figs. 4 and 1-0) located just above the top frame plate 38 and arranged to extend lengthwise of the shoe with their front ends in positions to engage the toe former in locations spaced a substantial distance apart wid'thwise of the shoe. Between their opposite endsthese bars are pivotally connected by studs 320 to the lower ends of upwardly extending 1eVers'322 pivotally mounted between their upper and lower ends on the previously mentioned stud .32 for swinging movements lengthwise of theshoe independently of each other. The upper ends of the.levers are connected :by springs 324 .to the opposite ends of. a plate v326 fast on thepreviously mentioned .arm'282. As this arm, therefore, is swung rearwardly in the manner hereinbefore described it acts through the springs 324 on the levers "322 to force the front ends of the'bars 318 yieldingly against the toe former in directions lengthwise of the shoe and thereby to flex the portions thereof at the sides of the toe inwardly toward the last while also urging the toe former as a whole in a direction lengthwise of the last.

"It will be understood that in Wiping the upper tracted, so-that the bars 1H8 apply no pressure to the toe former at the time when the shoe is, presented'to 'the machine, the levers -S22 and the bars being returned through these springs when the arm 282 receives its return movement.

To assist in preventing displacement of the shoe after it has been released from control of the sole rest 2, before the wipers have completed their wiping movements, the machine is provided with a pair of clamp members 338 (Fig. 8) arranged to engage the opposite sides of the shoe in locations where its sides curve inward heelwardly of the ball line (Fig. 23) to hold it against lengthwise as well as lateral displacement. Each of these members comprises a block 332 on which is a shoe-engaging pad 334, this block being supported on another block 338 and being guided by the latter for turning movement about an axis extending heightwise of the shoe to permit it to adjust itself to the shoe. A screw 338 (Fig. 9) threaded in the block 338 extends into a slot 348 in the block 332 to limit turning movement of the latter. Each block 338 is supported on a forwardly extending arm 342 of a lever 344 and is adjustable in directions lengthwise of the shoe along a guideway on this arm. The block is held in adjusted position by means of a pin 348 the lower end of which is arranged to enter any one of a plurality of holes 348 in the arm 342, the pin being movable to release the block against the resistance of a spring 358 by means of a knob 352 on its upper end.

The levers 344 are mounted between their ends on thimbles 354 which are threaded on the lower ends of the previously mentioned studs 242 below the plate 38 (Fig. 10). A rearwardly extending arm 358 of each lever carries a roll 358 arranged to engage a wedge member 388 movable in directions lengthwise of the shoe along a guideway formed in the previously mentioned block 388. Springs 382 connected to the levers 344 tend to swing their forwardly extending arms 342 away from the shoe and hold the rolls 358 at all times in engagement with the wedge members. It will be understood that movements of the wedge members in rearward directions serve to swing the levers 344 in the directions to apply the clamp members 338 to the shoe. For thus moving the wedge members there is provided a bell-crank lever 384 (Figs. 3 and 8) mounted to swing about a shaft 383, one arm 368 of this lever being connected by a pair of links 318 (Figs. 2 and 3) to a pin 312 which serves as a connection between the previously mentioned arm 268 and the link 282. The other arm 314 of the bell-crank lever is connected by a pin 318 to the rear ends of a pair of angular bars 318 the front ends of which are in abutting engagement with springs 888 mounted on rods 382 which are pivotally connected at their front ends to the rear ends of the wedge members 358. These rods extend through openings in the front ends of the bars 338 and are provided on their rear ends with nuts 384 serving as abutments for the rear ends of the springs. It will thus be seen that when the arm 3'54 of the bellcrank lever 384 is swung in a rearward direction by the upward movement of the piston 288 it acts through the springs 388 to operate the wedge members 338 and thereby to apply the clamp members 338 to the shoe. The clamp members thus assume positions determined by the shoe, the wedge members being relatively movable to permit them to assume positions determined by the clamp members in engagement with the shoe. The wedge members are, moreover, so formed that once the clamp members have been moved into shoe-engagin positions they are positively locked in those positions, since any pressure of the rolls 358 on the wedge members is not sufficient to displace these members against the resistance of the springs 388. The above-described connections between the wedge members and the piston rod 284 are so constructed and arranged that by the upward movement of the piston rod the clamp members 338 are applied to the shoe before the arm 282 has moved far enough to cause the latch 48 to release the lever 38 controlling the sole rest, after which the springs 388 yield in response to the further movement of the piston rod. In the return of the parts to starting positions the wedge members are returned in response to engagement of the front end portions of the bars 318 with heads 386 formed on the front ends of the rods 382. If the machine is operated without any shoe therein the previously mentioned plate 3|4 serves by engagement with the levers 344 to limit the movements of these levers.

When the fluid is released from the gripper cylinders I84 and the grippers accordingly releases the upper they would, if not prevented, move downwardly toward their starting positions and thus engage the wipers 228 when the wipers are over the insole. To avoid such interference between the grippers and the wipers there is provided means for not only preventing downward movements of the grippers at this time, but for moving them farther upwardly away from the wipers and the wiper carriers. For this purpose the previously mentioned sleeve 258 has formed thereon two short downwardly extending arms 383 (Figs. 2 and 3) pivotally supported on which are sleeves 398 mounted on rods 392. Between the sleeves 388 and collars 394 fast on the rods are springs 396, and threaded on the rear ends of the rods for engagement with the sleeves are nuts 398. The front ends of the rods 392 are pivotally connected to downwardly extending arms 488 of bell-crank levers 482 pivotally supported under the plate 38, and forwardly extending arms 484 of these bell-crank levers are pivotally connected to the lower ends of rods 408 which, as shown in Fig. 4, extend upwardly through guide holes in the frame plate 38. Threaded on the upper end of each rod 488 is a nipple 488 (Fig. 19) having a convex upper end arranged to engage a concave seat 4l8 formed in a block 4l2 fast on the corresponding gripper-supporting bracket I 32. A look not 414 on each rod holds the nipple in adjusted position. In response, therefore, to up ward movement of the piston rod 264 the arms 388 act through the springs 393 to impart upward movements to the rods 488 and thus to cause these rods to swing the grippers still farther upwardly upon their release of the upper. It will be understood that when the grippers pull the upper the blocks 4 I 2 are carried slightly away from the nipples 483 and that the rods 48S carry the nipples again into engagement with these blocks before they act on the grippers as above described. The downwardly extending arm 488 of each bell-crank lever 482 has therein a plurality of holes 418 in any one of which a pin 8 connecting the arm to the rod 392 may be inserted to vary the amount of movement imparted to the rods 486 by the arms 388.

To relieve the operator of the necessity of holding the shoe in order to prevent it from falling on the floor when it is released after the lasting operation, the machine is provided with a shoe receiver 428 (Fig. 1) upon which the shoe will fall when it is thus released, the shoe receiver bein arranged to support the shoe bottom upward in an inclined position. Since the construction .of this shoe receiver is substantially as disclosed in the previously mentioned Letters Patent, it will not be herein described in detail.

The fluid-pressure system of the machine includes a pump 422 (Figs. 1 and 24) driven continuously by an electric motor-424 and receiving fluid, preferably light oil, through a pipe line 426 from an open reservoir or sump 428. The pump forces the fluid through a pipe 436 and a coupling 432 into a manifold 434 (Figs. 11, 12 and 24) comprising a bore formed in a casting 436 supported by bracket 438 (Fig. 11) on the frame. When the machine is in operation the fluid is thus maintained under pressure in the manifold 434. To dispose of the excess fluid under those conditions and to limit the maximum pressure of the fluid, there is provided a relief valve 446 (Fig. 1) mov able by the fluidagainst the resistance of an adjustable spring 442 in a casing 444 on the top of the sump 428 to permit escape of the excess fluid through av by-pass 446 to thesump. Fluid is. conducted to the valve casing 444 through a pipe 448.

The pipe lines 52, I81 and 216 which conduct the operating fluid respectively to the cylinder 62 associated with the toe rest, the gripper cylinders I64, and the cylinder 268 associated with the wipers and other parts lead from the casting 436 (Fig. 11), and associated respectively with these different pipe lines are valve units identified generally by the reference characters 456, 452 and 454 (Fig. 24). These valve units are all of the same construction, and accordingly a description ofv the unit 456 shown in Fig; 17 will suffice for all of them. Mounted in a chamber 456 in the casting 436, which chamber is common to all the units, is a tube 458 in communication at one end with the manifold 434 and at the other end with the pipe line 92, the tube being divided between its opposite ends by a partition 466. At one side of this partition the tube has extending laterally through it a plurality of ports 452 and at the other side of the partition a plurality of ports 464. Slidingly mounted on the tube is a sleeve valve 466 having therein an annular recess 468 ar-' ranged, when the valve is in one position, to afford communication between the ports 462 and 464 and thus to admit fluid from the manifold to the pipe line 62; When the valve, however, is in its initial position,,as shown in Fig. 1'1, communication between the manifold and the pipe line 92 is interrupted and the pipe line isin communication through the ports 454 with the chamber 456. It will be understood, therefore, that when the valve is returned to its initial position after having admitted fluid to the pipe line '92 fluid from the pipe line is permitted to exhaust into the chamber 456 in response to the return movement of the piston 86 by the springs 96. Fluid under atmospheric pressure in the chamber 456 is returned to the sump through pipes 416 (Figs. 11 and 17) leading out of the upper portion of the chamber. The valve 466 is controlled by a lever 412 pivotally mounted at 414 in the chamber 456 and extending upwardly through an opening ina cover plate 416 over the chamber, the lever being provided at its lower forked end with pins 418 lying in a groove 486 in the valve. The upper end 'of the lever is'connected by-a link 482 with the core 484 of a solenoid 466. VVhen-thesolenoid is energized by closing its electrical circuit it therefore moves the valve 466 from its initial position into position to admit fluid from the manifold to the pipe line 92. When the-solenoid is deener-- *gizedrby' breaking'the circuitthez valve is returned 16 to its initial position-by a spring 488 engaginga collar 496 fasten a rod 492 which'is pivotally connected to the lever 412.

From the above description of the valve unit 456 the functions of the valves of the other valve units 452 and. 454 in admitting operating fluid respectively to the gripper-operating cylinders I64 and to the cylinder 268 and in releasing the fluid from these. cylinders will be readily understood, the corresponding parts of the several valve units, in so far as they are visible, being identified by the same reference characters. .Associated respectively with the solenoids of the three valve units 456, 452 and 454 are switches 494, 496 and 498 shown. diagrammatically in Fig. 24 for closing and opening the electrical. circuits of the solenoids, these switches being mountedin a switch box 566 supported on a bracket 562 (Fig. 13) which is fast on the frame of the machine. Each switch includes a member 56.4 movable inwardly to close the switch and reversely movable by a spring (not shown) to open the switch. Each member 564 is engagedon its outer end and is moved inwardly by the head of a screw 566 carried by an arm 568 which is pivotally supported atits lower end by the bracket 562 and is provided on its upper end with a roll 51 6. The rollsv on the arms which are associated respectively with the switches 494, 495 and 468 are engaged respectively by cams 5 I2, 514 and 5l6 secured by screws 5 l8 to a drum 526 rotatable intermittently, as will presently be described. This drum is mounted on a sleeve 522 (Fig. 16) secured byv a screw524 to a shaft 526 which is mounted in bearings in a casing 523 on the bracket 562 and is continuously rotated through gearing (not shown) in this casing by a pulley .536 driven through a beltv 532 by the electric motor 424 (Fig. 1). The drum 526 is rotated by the shaft'526 through a oneerevolution clutch 534. This clutch includes a ratchet wheel 5.36 (Figs. 13 and 16) fast on the shaft and a pawl.

538 pivotally mounted on a stud 546 carriedby a flange 542 on the drum 526. A spring 544 connected to the pawl and to the flange 542 tends to swing the pawl. into position to be engaged by the teeth of the ratchet wheel to cause the drum 526 to be driven by the shaft 526. Initially, however, a tail 546 on the pawl is. engaged by a stop 548 to hold'the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet wheel and in engagement with a pin 556 on the flange 542. The stop 548 is secured to a ring 552 which'encircles the flange 542 and is secured below the flange to a slide 554 movable in directions spring 556 which is mounted in a socket in the slide and presses through a plunger 553 on a member 566 fast on the bracket 562. For thus operating the slide there is provided an arm 562 (Figs. 13 and 16) fast on a rockshaft 564 mounted in bearings on the bracket 562, this arm having pivotally mounted at 566 on its upper end a pawl 568 arranged to engage a block 516 fast on the Slide 554. The position of the pawl with respect to turning movement about its axis on the arm 562 is adjustably determined by a screw 512 threaded in the arm and by a spring-pressed plunger 514which holds the pawl in engagement with the screw. When the. arm..562 is swungin .a counterclockwisedirectionwith reference "to 

